BAGUIO CITY, Nov. 23 (PIA) – – The Cordillera region’s Coronavirus Disease active cases are now going down while recovery rate of patients continues to increase in the region, but health authorities advise the public to remain vigilant and to keep on observing the minimum health standards and safety protocols.
Department of Health Center for Health and Development-Cordillera (DOH – CAR) Assistant Regional Director Amelita Pangilinan, in the Dagyaw 2020 Open Government Virtual Town Hall meeting today, reported that as of their November 22 data, COVID – 19 active cases in Cordillera are down to 431 or equivalent to 8.11 percent while recoveries are now 4,823 or around 91 percent of the 5,312 recorded confirmed cases in the region.
Pangilinan shared that peak of cases was recorded in Oct. 18 to 24 but is now on the down trend the past two weeks. She shared that clustering of cases were noted in the mining sector, economic and health sectors and due to workplace and household infections and vice versa.
Increase in cases was also attributed to lodging (cramping), gatherings, and mobility of people. Another factor is the Aggressive Community Testing facilitated by the NTF COVID – 19 in partnership with the Bases Conversion Development Authority, she added.
DOH – CAR data also shows that case fatality rate in the region is at 1.1% with the 48 deaths recorded. Most were elderlies with co–morbidities.
As the threat of the COVID pandemic remains, Pangilinan reiterates the health department’s call for continuing public support in instilling discipline and strict adherence to the minimum health requirements and safety protocols needed to protect themselves, their families and the community.
All of us need to have an active role and become BIDA as in “BIDA ang Solusyon” which stands for Bawal ang walang face mask; I-sanitize ang mga kamay; Dumistantsya ng isang metro; at Alamin ang Tamang Impormasyon, she said.
The 2020 Dagyaw virtual town hall meeting today was the first of the series of four regional dialogues dubbed “Usapang Ekonomiya: Mga Pananaw sa Paglago ng Estado ng Ekonomiya ng Kordilyera sa Panahon ng Pandemya “. This event is led by the Department of Interior and Local Government.
Aside from the COVID – 19 regional situationer, DILG also gave a presentation on its “Displina Muna” campaign. The resource speakers were Dept. of Agriculture OIC Regional Director Cameron Odsey on the region’s agriculture sector, DOLE – CAR on Employment, Dept. of Trade and Industry OIC Assistant Regional Director Juliet Lucas on the livelihood sector especially on the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Dept. of Tourism – CAR OIC Director Jovita Ganongan on tourism updates, and Land Transportation Office Dir. Francis Ray Almora on public transport and mobility.
DILG–CAR Asst. Regional Director Araceli San Jose, in closing the forum, expressed gratitude to all their resource speakers, reactors and the public that actively participated in the Dagyaw as she outlined the importance of open and participatory governance especially in this time of the pandemic.
“The conduct of Dagyaw is crucial especially during this health crisis. It is important for us to connect with you and inform you of the different efforts that the government is doing to assist you in this time of need”, San Jose said. **JDP/CCD-PIA CAR
